Optimized Volume Adjustment

ABSTRACT

A method for adjusting the sound volume of media clips using volume adjuster lines is provided. The volume adjuster lines are individually set for each clip based on the intrinsic, or absolute, volume values of the clip. In some embodiments, the volume adjuster lines are set for each clip based on the peak value or a calculated loudness equivalent of the clip. A user can move the volume adjuster line to set the absolute sound level of a clip. The volume adjuster lines can be hidden in some embodiments. In these embodiments, dragging on any portion of a clip is treated as dragging on the volume adjuster line. Some embodiments provide a deformable volume adjuster line, or curve. In these embodiments, a single audio clip can have several different volume adjuster lines for different sections of the clip where the volume adjuster line for each section is individually adjustable.

BACKGROUND

Currently, many media editing applications for creating mediapresentations exist that composite several pieces of media content suchas video, audio, animation, still image, etc. Such applications givegraphical designers, media artists, and other users the ability to edit,combine, transition, overlay, and piece together different media contentin a variety of manners to create a resulting composite presentation.Examples of media editing applications include Final Cut Pro® andiMovie®, both sold by Apple® Inc.

The media editing applications include a graphical user interface(“GUI”) that provides different tools for creating and manipulatingmedia content. These tools include different controls for changing thevolume of audio for different media contents. One way of changing theaudio volume is to display a waveform that plots the audio levels as afunction of time and provide a control to change the relative level ofthe audio. Some GUIs display a volume bar on the audio waveform andallow the user to change the volume by dragging the volume bar up ordown by a relative value. For instance, by moving the volume bar from −7decibels (dB) to −5 dB the volume of the audio is increased by 2 dB.

This method of changing the volume has several shortcomings. Forinstance, even after the maximum allowed adjustment, the volume of aquiet clip might not become loud enough. On the other hand, a clip witha loud peak might be clipped off if the volume is raised by a relativevalue that makes the peak go beyond the maximum allowed level. Inaddition, in a non-linear volume scale, changes to the volume bar andthe resulting changes to the corresponding waveform do not move inlocked step.

Additionally, when portions of an audio clip have different loudness,using a single volume bar to adjust the volume of the audio clip doesnot allow fine tuning of the volume in different portions of the clip.Similarly, when an audio clip or a portion of an audio clip is displayedwith low volume, visually identifying different points such as maximumpoints and minimum points (or the peaks and valleys) of the clip andaligning them to each other or to a specific time on a displayedtimeline is difficult.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some embodiments provide a method for adjusting the sound volume ofmedia clips. In some of these embodiments, volume adjuster graphs areprovided to adjust the media clips volumes. Each volume adjuster graphincludes one or more segments. The segments are either straight (e.g.,horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines) or curved (e.g., curved lines).The volume adjuster graphs are individually set for each clip based onthe intrinsic (or absolute) volume values of the clip. In someembodiments, the volume adjuster graphs are set for each clip based onthe peak value, RMS value, or loudness value of the clip. A user candrag a segment of a volume adjuster graph and move the segment to setthe absolute sound level of a clip. The volume adjuster graphs can behidden in some embodiments. In these embodiments, dragging on anyportion of a clip is treated as dragging on the corresponding segment ofthe volume adjuster graph.

Using the absolute values to adjust the volume has several advantages.For instance, a quiet clip can be adjusted to the maximum allowed levelby dragging the volume adjuster graph to set the peak of the clip to themaximum allowed level. Also, a loud clip can be adjusted withoutclipping a portion of the clip by setting the volume adjuster graph toautomatically stop at the maximum allowed absolute value. Accordingly,maximum advantage is taken from the available adjustment range based onthe loudness of each clip.

Furthermore, using the absolute values to adjust the volume makes thevolume adjuster graph and the audio waveform to move in locked steps.Another advantage of using the absolute values is each clip can have itsown volume adjuster as opposed to using a relative volume adjuster thatis generally the same for all clips even when the clips have differentloudness values. Also, using an absolute level adjuster allows the userto match the loudness of two clips simply by setting their values to thesame amount.

Some embodiments provide a deformable volume adjuster graph withmultiple segments for each clip. In these embodiments, a single audioclip can have different volume adjuster segments for different portionsof the clip. When one or more portions of the clip are selected, theselected and non-selected portions of the clip are analyzed anddifferent volume adjuster segments are provided for each portion of theclip. For instance, in an embodiment where volume adjuster graphs areset based on the peak value of the clip, each particular portion of theclip is assigned a separate volume adjuster segment based on the peakvolume value for the particular portion. The deformable volume adjustergraphs allow for better adjustment of volume, especially when differentportions of the clip have different volume levels.

Some embodiments display reference waveforms to facilitate visualidentification of different points such as maximum points and minimumpoints (or peaks and valleys) of an audio clip. The reference waveformincludes points that correspond to points on the original audiowaveform, except that some or all points on the reference waveform areaccentuated to easily identify the positions of the corresponding pointson the audio waveform. The reference waveform in some embodiments issuperimposed over a corresponding audio waveform. In other embodiments,the reference waveform is displayed in another position (e.g., above orbelow the audio waveform) or is displayed in lieu of the audio waveform.

The reference waveforms are especially useful when an audio waveform (orat least a portion of the clip) has low volume which makes the visualidentification of the maximums and minimums of the waveform difficult.Displaying the reference waveform which accentuates the peaks andvalleys of the original waveform facilitates the identification of thesemaximums and minimums. In addition, the reference waveform makes iteasier to align a point on the audio waveform to a certain time instanceor to align them with other waveforms or other media clips. Forinstance, the user identifies the desired point on the referencewaveform and drags the identified point along with the correspondingpoint on the original clip to a target time value.

The preceding Summary is intended to serve as a brief introduction tosome embodiments of the invention. It is not meant to be an introductionor overview of all inventive subject matter disclosed in this document.The Detailed Description that follows and the Drawings that are referredto in the Detailed Description will further describe the embodimentsdescribed in the Summary as well as other embodiments. Accordingly, tounderstand all the embodiments described by this document, a full reviewof the Summary, Detailed Description and the Drawings is needed.Moreover, the claimed subject matters are not to be limited by theillustrative details in the Summary, Detailed Description and theDrawings, but rather are to be defined by the appended claims, becausethe claimed subject matters can be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit of the subject matters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appendedclaims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of theinvention are set forth in the following figures.

FIGS. 1A and 1B conceptually illustrate a graphical user interface(“GUI”) of a media editing application that utilizes a prior artrelative volume adjustment scale.

FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates three prior art examples of the effectsof changing the volume level by a relative amount for a quiet waveform.

FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates three prior art examples of the effectsof changing the volume level by a relative value for a waveform with aloud peak.

FIG. 4 illustrates changing the volume of an audio clips by using arelative volume adjustment according to prior art.

FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a graphical user interface for changingaudio volumes in a media editing application of some embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates a graphical user interface of a mediaediting application for providing deformable volume adjuster lines insome embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates a graphical user interface fordisplaying reference waveforms in a media editing application of someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a process for changing the audio volumeof one or more multimedia clips in some embodiments.

FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates three audio waveforms displayed in thewaveform display area of a GUI in some embodiments.

FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates changing the volume of a quiet clip insome embodiments.

FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates changing the volume of a loud clip insome embodiments.

FIG. 12 conceptually illustrates a process 0 for changing the audiovolume of one or more multimedia clips in some embodiments.

FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates several possible positions for settingthe volume adjuster lines in some embodiments.

FIG. 14 conceptually illustrates a volume adjuster line which is placedat the RMS level (or any other level below the peak) of a waveform insome embodiments.

FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates a volume adjuster line which is placedat the RMS level (or any other level below the peak) of a waveform insome embodiments.

FIG. 16 conceptually illustrates a process for changing the audio volumeof a multimedia clip in some embodiments.

FIG. 17 conceptually illustrates different operations forpre-normalization in some embodiments.

FIG. 18 conceptually illustrates three waveforms in two stages in someembodiments.

FIG. 19 conceptually illustrates a process for adjusting the volumeadjuster line after trimming a portion of the clip in some embodiments.

FIG. 20 conceptually illustrates a waveform with the volume adjusterline set at the peak volume in some embodiments.

FIG. 21 conceptually illustrates a process for setting and displayingdeformable volume adjuster lines in some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a single audio clip with a deformable volumeadjustment adjuster line in some embodiments.

FIG. 23 conceptually illustrates a single audio clip with a deformablevolume adjustment adjuster line in some embodiments.

FIG. 24 conceptually illustrates the audio clip of FIG. 22 where twoportions of the clip are selected.

FIG. 25 conceptually illustrates adjusting the transitional portionbetween two volume adjuster lines in some embodiments.

FIG. 26 conceptually illustrates a deformable volume adjuster line whereadjusting a portion of the deformable adjuster line does not affect theother portions of the deformable volume adjuster line.

FIG. 27 conceptually illustrates a deformable volume adjuster line whereadjusting a portion of the deformable adjuster line affect the otherportions of the deformable volume adjuster line.

FIG. 28 conceptually illustrates displaying a reference graph thatidentifies the original volume adjuster graph in some embodiments of theinvention after the original volume adjuster graph is modified.

FIG. 29 conceptually illustrates three audio clips with thecorresponding volume adjuster lines in some embodiments.

FIG. 30 conceptually illustrates an audio waveform and its correspondingreference waveform in some embodiments.

FIG. 31 conceptually illustrates a clip and its associated referencewaveform in two stages in some embodiments.

FIG. 32 conceptually illustrates a process for displaying referencewaveforms in some embodiments.

FIG. 33 conceptually illustrates determining the values of differentpoints for reference waveforms in some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 34 conceptually illustrates a process for aligning an audio in witha desired point on a display area of some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 35 and 36 conceptually illustrate aligning of an audio clip to aparticular point on a timeline in some embodiments.

FIG. 37 conceptually illustrates a process for aligning several audioclips in some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 38 and 39 conceptually illustrate aligning of several audio clipsin some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 40 conceptually illustrates the software architecture for adjustingmedia clip volumes in a media editing application in some embodiments.

FIG. 41 conceptually illustrates a graphical user interface of amedia-editing application of some embodiments.

FIG. 42 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which someembodiments of the invention are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerousdetails, examples, and embodiments of the invention are set forth anddescribed. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in theart that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth andthat the invention may be practiced without some of the specific detailsand examples discussed.

Some embodiments provide a method for adjusting the sound volume ofmedia clips. In some of these embodiments, volume adjuster graphs areprovided to adjust the media clips volumes. Each volume adjuster graphincludes one or more segments. The segments are either straight (e.g.,horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines) or curved (e.g., curved lines).The volume adjuster graphs are individually set for each clip based onthe intrinsic (or absolute) volume values of the clip. In someembodiments, the volume adjuster graphs are set for each clip based onthe peak value, RMS value, or loudness value of the clip. A user candrag a segment of a volume adjuster graph and move the segment to setthe absolute sound level of a clip. The volume adjuster graphs can behidden in some embodiments. In these embodiments, dragging on anyportion of a clip is treated as dragging on the corresponding segment ofthe volume adjuster graph.

Using the absolute values to adjust the volume has several advantages.For instance, a quiet clip can be adjusted to the maximum allowed levelby dragging the volume adjuster graph to set the peak of the clip to themaximum allowed level. Also, a loud clip can be adjusted withoutclipping a portion of the clip by setting the volume adjuster graph toautomatically stop at the maximum allowed absolute value. Accordingly,maximum advantage is taken from the available adjustment range based onthe loudness of each clip.

Furthermore, using the absolute values to adjust the volume makes thevolume adjuster graph and the audio waveform to move in locked steps.Another advantage of using the absolute values is each clip can have itsown volume adjuster as opposed to using a relative volume adjuster thatis generally the same for all clips even when the clips have differentloudness values. Also, using an absolute level adjuster allows the userto match the loudness of two clips simply by setting their values to thesame amount.

Some embodiments provide a deformable volume adjuster graph withmultiple segments for each clip. In these embodiments, a single audioclip can have different volume adjuster segments for different portionsof the clip. When one or more portions of the clip are selected, theselected and non-selected portions of the clip are analyzed anddifferent volume adjuster segments are provided for each portion of theclip. For instance, in an embodiment where volume adjuster graphs areset based on the peak value of the clip, each particular portion of theclip is assigned a separate volume adjuster segment based on the peakvolume value for the particular portion. The deformable volume adjustergraphs allow for better adjustment of volume, especially when differentportions of the clip have different volume levels.

Some embodiments display reference waveforms to facilitate visualidentification of different points such as maximum points and minimumpoints (or peaks and valleys) of an audio clip. The reference waveformincludes points that correspond to points on the original audiowaveform, except that some or all points on the reference waveform areaccentuated to easily identify the positions of the corresponding pointson the audio waveform. The reference waveform in some embodiments issuperimposed over a corresponding audio waveform. In other embodiments,the reference waveform is displayed in another position (e.g., above orbelow the audio waveform) or is displayed in lieu of the audio waveform.

The reference waveforms are especially useful when an audio waveform (orat least a portion of the clip) has low volume which makes the visualidentification of the maximums and minimums of the waveform difficult.Displaying the reference waveform which accentuates the peaks andvalleys of the original waveform facilitates the identification of thesemaximums and minimums. In addition, the reference waveform makes iteasier to align a point on the audio waveform to a certain time instanceor to align them with other waveforms or other media clips. Forinstance, the user identifies the desired point on the referencewaveform and drags the identified point along with the correspondingpoint on the original clip to a target time value.

Several more detailed embodiments of the invention are described insections below. Section I provides an overview of the invention. Next,Section II describes providing optimized volume adjustments in someembodiments. Section III describes displaying reference waveforms tofacilitate visual identification of different points of audio clips insome embodiments. Next, Section IV describes the software architectureof some embodiments. Section V describes a graphical user interface(GUI) of some embodiments. Finally, a description of an electronicsystem with which some embodiments of the invention are implemented isprovided in Section VI.

I. Overview

A. Issues with a Relative Volume Adjustment Scale for Changing Volume

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a graphical user interface (“GUI”) 100 of amedia editing application that utilizes a prior art relative volumeadjustment scale. The relative volume adjustment scale is used toincrease or decrease volume by amounts set with the volume adjuster oradjustment bar. For instance, setting the relative volume bar to −10 dBdecreases the clip's arbitrary volume level by 10 dB rather than settingthe average volume of the clip to −10 dB. The GUI 100 is shown at fourstages 101-104. The GUI 100 includes a track display area 105, a videopreview area 110, and a clip selection area 115. The track display area105 includes a set of tracks 120 for displaying one or more video clips(e.g., Clips 1-6) and one or more audio clips (e.g., Clips 7-14). Eachclip is provided with a volume bar. For instance, as shown in theexpanded view 165, volume bars 112, 113, and 114 are provided for Clips9, 10, and 11 respectively.

In the first stage 101, the track display area 105 includes originalwaveforms 115, 116, and 117 for Clips 9-12. In the first stage 101, thegain for each of the clips is set at zero decibels (dB). Therefore, theoriginal volume of each of the clips has not been adjusted. In thesecond stage 102, the track display area 105 includes adjusted waveform125. In the third stage 103, the track display area 105 includesadjusted waveform 126. In the fourth stage 104, the track display area105 includes adjusted waveform 127. There are several shortcomings inadjusting the volume by using a relative adjustment scale. For instance,even after the maximum allowed adjustment, the volume of a quiet clip(such as clip 115) might not become loud enough while a clip with a loudpeak (such as clip 116) might be clipped off if the volume is raisedbeyond a certain level. In addition, changes to the volume bar and theresulting changes to the corresponding waveforms are not aligned.Specially, in a non-linear volume scale, the changes to the volume barand the resulting changes to the corresponding waveform are not inlocked step.

Details of these shortcomings are described by reference to FIGS. 2-4below. In these figures, it is assumed that the intrinsic sound levelcannot exceed 0 dB. Also, the maximum gain adjustment is assumed to be12 dB. FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates three prior art examples of theeffects of setting the volume level to a relative amount for waveform115 when the peak of the original waveform 115 is at −30 dB. Eachexample shows the selected gain (shown as the volume bar 210) and theresulting waveforms 115, 222, and 224. The peak of each waveform isshown with a dashed line. Waveform 115 represents a clip with a loworiginal volume of −30 dB.

In this example it is assumed that the volume of a clip cannot exceed 0dB. However, since changes to the volume bar are relative, the maximumvalue for the relative increase for the volume bar is shown to be 12 dB.Since the changes are relative, setting the volume bar at 8 dB, does notset any particular point on the clip to 8 dB. Instead, the volume forevery point on the clip is increased by 8 dB.

As shown, when the gain level is at 0 dB (as indicated by the volume bar210), the peak of the resulting waveform 115 is at −30 dB. When therelative gain level is increased to 10 dB, the peak of the resultingwaveform 222 is increased by 10 dB and is set at −20 dB. Also, when therelative gain level is increased to 12 dB, the peak of the resultingwaveform 224 is increased by 12 dB and is set at −18 dB.

Since GUI 100 uses a relative volume scale, adjusting the volume bar 210up or down applies a positive or negative gain to the original volumelevel of the clip (and therefore increases or decreases the height ofthe associated waveform). As a result, for waveform 115 that has a verylow original volume, setting the gain to the maximum possible 12 dBlevel still results in a peak volume level of only −18 dB. Accordingly,a prior art system with an arbitrary maximum volume adjustment does notraise a quiet clip loud enough, even when the volume adjustment ismaximized.

FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates three prior art examples of the effectsof setting the volume level to a relative amount for waveform 116 whenthe peak of the original waveform 116 is at −7 dB. Each example showsthe selected gain (shown as the volume bar 310) and the resultingwaveforms 116, 322, and 324. Waveform 116 represents a clip with arelatively high original volume where the difference between theoriginal peak volume (i.e., −7 dB) and the maximum possible peak volume(i.e., 0 dB) is less that the maximum possible gain adjustment of 12 dB.As shown, when the gain level is set at −7 dB, the resulting waveformpeak volume 116 is also at −7 dB. When the gain level is set at 7 dB,the peak of the resulting waveform 322 is at maximum possible level of 0dB. However, when the gain level is set at 12 dB, the resulting waveform324 that would have been at 5 dB is clipped at 0 dB.

Since GUI 100 uses a relative volume scale, changing the gain forwaveform 116 from 0 dB to 12 dB results in the unwanted clipping of theresulting waveform 324 at maximum 0 dB. Accordingly, a prior art systemwith an arbitrary maximum volume adjustment might clip a waveform whenthe gain level is raised beyond a level that brings the maximum volumelevel to 0 dB.

Another problem with relative volume adjustment is that the changes tothe volume bar and the resulting changes to the corresponding waveformare not aligned. FIG. 4 illustrates changing the volumes of an audioclips by using a relative volume adjustment according to prior art. Thewaveforms are shown in two stages 430 and 435. As shown, in the firststage 430, the original peak volume of audio clip 115 is at −30 dB andthe volume bar 113 is originally at 0 dB level. The difference betweenthe peak value and the volume bar is 30 dB.

In the second stage 435, when the volume bar 113 is moved to 7 dB, thevolume of the resulting waveform 405 is increased by 7 dB and the peakof the waveform is set at −23 dB. The distance between the peak valueand the volume bar is still 3 dB. However, the displayed visual distancebetween the volume bar and the peak is more in the second stage 435 thanin the first stage 430 due to the non-liner scale used to display thewaveform. Accordingly, the volume bar and the waveform are not visuallymoving in locked steps.

B. Absolute Volume Adjustment Scale for Changing Volume

FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a graphical user interface (“GUI”) 500of a media editing application in some embodiments of the invention. Asshown, GUI 500 includes a waveform display area 505, a video previewarea 510, and a clip selection area 515. Waveform display area 505displays waveforms that represent the audio portions of media clips.Although, several overlapping and non-overlapping waveforms can bedisplayed in the waveform display area 505, overlapping waveforms arenot shown for simplicity. A more detailed description of the GUI of someembodiments is described in Section IV, below. The waveforms representthe sound levels of the clip as a function of time. In some embodiments,one or more of the represented media clips has a video portion as well.In other embodiments, none of the media clips represented have a videoportion.

GUI 500 is shown at four stages 501-504. Stage 501 represents the stateof GUI 500 when three clips have been loaded and the volume of the clipshas not been adjusted. Stages 502-504 represent the state of the GUIwhen the volumes of various clips have been adjusted. The video previewarea 510 displays previews of the video portions of media clips (forthose media clips that have a video portion). The clip selection area515 displays icons representing clips that can be selected for displayof the sound portion of the clips in the waveform display area. Volumeadjuster graphs 562, 563, and 564 provide adjustable gain levels for thewaveforms 565, 566, and 567, respectively. The volume adjuster graphs inFIG. 5 are shown as horizontal lines for simplicity. However, asdescribed in more detail in Section II below, the volume adjuster graphsin some embodiments include one or more segments and each segment canhave a different geometric shape such as a straight line or a curvedline.

In the first stage 501, the waveform display area 505 includes originalwaveforms 565, 566, and 567. In the second stage 502, the waveformdisplay area 505 includes adjusted waveform 575. In the third stage 503,the waveform display area 505 includes adjusted waveform 576. In thefourth stage 504, the waveform display area 505 includes adjustedwaveform 577.

As described in more detail in Section II below, the volume adjustergraphs adjust the absolute value of the volumes. In other words, settingthe volume adjuster graph at a specific target volume value sets acorresponding point (e.g., the peak) of the waveform at the specifiedtarget volume value. As opposed to volume adjusters in FIGS. 1A and 1Bwhich add a certain gain to volume levels, the volume adjusters 562-564in FIG. 5 set the intrinsic (or absolute) values of the volumes to aselected volume level. Volume adjuster graphs 562-564 provide theadvantage of making a quiet clip volume to be as loud as the maximumvolume level, avoiding clipping of a loud clip, and maintaining thealignment of the clips after changing their volumes.

C. Deformable Volume Graphs

FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates a graphical user interface 600 of amedia editing application for providing deformable volume adjustergraphs in some embodiments of the invention. GUI 600 is shown in twostages 601 and 602. As shown in the first stage 601, the three audioclips each has a volume graph 562-564, respectively. In this example,the volume graphs are set at the maximum peak of each audio waveform565-567.

As shown in the second stage 602, a user has selected two portions ofwaveform 566. The selected portions are showed by dashed rectangles 630and 635. As shown, after selecting different portions of waveform 566,each particular portion is displayed with a different volume graph setat the local peak of the particular portion that controls the volume ofthe portion. The deformable volume graphs provide the advantage ofallowing better adjustment of volume without breaking a clip intoseparate clips. Deformable volume graphs are especially useful whendifferent portions of the clip have different volume levels. Asdescribed further below, in some embodiments, deformable volume graphsare automatically generated over a clip (e.g., as a running average).

D. Reference Waveforms

FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates a graphical user interface 700 of amedia editing application for displaying reference waveforms in someembodiments of the invention. As shown, GUI 700 includes a waveformdisplay area 705, a video preview area 710, and a clip selection area715. An audio waveform 720 is displayed (shown in dark highlight) in thewaveform display area 705. The waveform includes a maximum peak volumeand several local maximums or minimums (or peaks and valleys). Themaximums and minimums are points on the displayed waveform with a zeroslope. Since the local maximums and minimums are less than the maximumpeak, the local peaks are more difficult to identify on the displayedwaveform 720. In addition, for a low volume clip, it is difficult toalign a point of the audio clip to a certain time instance or to alignthem with other waveforms (not shown) on the waveform display area 705.

GUI 700 is shown in three stages 701-703. As shown in the first stage701, a reference waveform 725 (shown in gray highlight) is superimposedover the audio waveform 720 (shown in dark highlight) in the waveformdisplay area 705. The reference waveform 725 includes points such asmaximum points that correspond to maximum points in the waveform 720,except that some or all of the local maximum points and minimum pointsin the reference waveform are accentuated to identify the positions oflocal maximum points and local minimums points of the audio waveform720.

In the second stage 702, a directional input (such as dragging) isreceived from the user which results the reference waveform 725 alongwith the waveform 720 to move in the waveform display area. As describedin more detail in Section III below, displaying the reference waveformalso facilitates aligning points of the audio waveform to a specifictime or with other waveforms or other media clips. Also, as shown in thethird stage 703, changing the volume of the audio clip results in thereference waveform keeping its general contour in some embodiments.

II. Optimized Volume Adjustment

A. Setting Volume Adjuster Graphs Based on Intrinsic Audio Volume Values

Some embodiments provide volume adjuster graphs to adjust the mediaclips volumes. Each volume adjuster graph includes one or more segments(or sections) and each segment can have a different geometric shape suchas a straight line (e.g., horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines) or acurved line. The terms volume adjuster, volume adjuster graph, volumeadjuster curve, volume graph, and volume curve are used interchangeablyin this specification and refer to geometric shapes used to adjustvolume of audio clips.

FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a process 800 for changing the audiovolume of one or more multimedia clips in some embodiments of theinvention. Different operations of process 800 are shown by reference toFIGS. 9-11. Process 800 is used in some embodiments to set volumeadjuster graphs 562-564 in GUI 500 shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 8,process 800 displays each audio waveform by plotting volumes of theoriginal audio clips as a function of time on absolute scale. FIG. 9conceptually illustrates three audio waveforms 905-915 displayed inwaveform display area 505 of GUI 500 in some embodiments of theinvention. Each of the audio waveforms 905-915 is shown as a set ofintrinsic (or absolute) volume levels (e.g., in decibels) plotted afunction of time.

Next, process 800 identifies (at 810) the peak value (e.g., in decibels)of each waveform. FIG. 9 illustrates the peaks 920-930 of waveforms905-915 respectively. As described further below by reference to FIG.12, other embodiments set the level for the volume adjuster at locationsother than the peak of the waveform (e.g., at the RMS level of thewaveform).

Process 800 then sets (at 815) a separate volume adjuster for each clipat the identified peaks of the audio waveform. In some embodiments, thevolume adjuster graph is superimposed over the corresponding audiowaveform. FIG. 9 illustrates volume adjuster graphs 935-945 forwaveforms 905-915 respectively. As shown, each volume adjuster graph isset at the peak (or maximum) of the corresponding waveform andindividually controls the particular waveform. As shown, each volumeadjuster graph is superimposed over the corresponding waveform.

Process 800 then receives (at 820) adjustments to the volume adjustergraph of a particular clip (e.g., in the form of a directional input tomove the volume adjuster graph). The process changes (at 825) the volumeof the clip based on the received adjustments. While changing the volumeof the clip, the process maintains the position of the volume adjustergraph at the peak of the waveform. In other words, the peak of thewaveform and the volume adjuster graph move together.

FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates changing the volume of a quiet clip insome embodiments of the invention. The figure shows the three waveformsof FIG. 9 in two stages 1005 and 1010. The first stage 1005 shows theoriginal waveforms 905-915 and their corresponding volume adjustergraphs 935-945. As shown, the peak value of waveform 905 is at −30 dBwhich is similar to the peak of waveform 115 shown in FIG. 2.

In the second stage 1010, a user drags up the volume adjuster graph 935to set the absolute value of the peak of the waveform 905 to the maximumpossible 0 dB. As shown, the resulting waveform 1015 has a peak value1020 of 0 dB. In contrast to waveform 224 in FIG. 2 which was resultedfrom setting the volume control 214 to maximum, the quiet clip 905 isadjusted to have a peak 1020 at the maximum possible of 0 dB level.Accordingly, setting the volume adjustment scale to absolute valuessolves the issue of a quiet waveform still being quiet after the maximumpossible adjustment in a relative adjustment scale.

FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates changing the volume of a loud clip insome embodiments of the invention. The figure shows the three waveformsof FIG. 9 in two stages 1105 and 1110. As shown in the first stage 1105,the peak value of waveform 910 is at −7 dB which is similar to the peakof waveform 116 shown in FIG. 3.

In the second stage 1110, a user drags up the volume adjuster graph 940to set the maximum peak of the waveform 910 to the maximum possible 0dB. As shown, the resulting waveform 1115 has a peak value 1120 of 0 dB.In contrast to waveform 324 in FIG. 3 which was clipped as a result ofsetting the volume control 314 to maximum, the loud clip 910 in FIG. 11is adjusted to have a peak 1120 at the maximum possible of 0 dB levelwithout being clipped. Accordingly, setting the volume adjustment scaleto absolute values solves the issue of a loud waveform being clippedafter the volume adjuster is set to maximum in a relative adjustmentscale.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the volume adjuster graphs andthe corresponding waveforms are aligned and the distance between thevolume adjuster graph and the corresponding waveform (e.g., the distancebetween the peak of the waveforms and the volume adjuster graph) remainthe same. In other words, the volume adjuster graph and thecorresponding waveform move in locked steps. This is in contrast withthe volume bars and corresponding waveforms in FIGS. 2-4 that wouldchange alignment between the waveform and the volume bar after eachchange to the volume bar.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, some embodiments display anadditional reference graph 1030 and 1130 to show the original unmodifiedvolume adjuster graph. In these embodiments, the reference graphs aredisplayed with different line pattering (e.g., solid, dashed, dotted, orstippled patterning), different line thickness, or different color asthe volume adjuster graphs.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process 800 is aconceptual representation of the operations used for adjusting audiovolume. The specific operations of process 800 may not be performed inthe exact order shown and described. For instance, displaying of theoriginal clip in some embodiments is done after operations 810 and 815.Also, operations 820 and 825 can be repeated many times to change thevolume adjuster graphs in response to different user inputs. In theseembodiments, after performing operation 825, process 800 proceeds to 820and awaits the next user command. Furthermore, the specific operationsof process 800 may not be performed in one continuous series ofoperations and different specific operations may be performed indifferent embodiments. Also, the process could be implemented usingseveral sub-processes, or as part of a larger macro process.

B. Setting the Volume Adjuster Graph at a Level Different than theWaveform Peak

Some embodiments set the volume adjuster graphs at positions other thanthe peak of each waveform. FIG. 12 conceptually illustrates a process1200 for changing the audio volume of one or more multimedia clips insome embodiments of the invention. Different operations of process 1200are shown by reference to FIGS. 13-15. As shown in FIG. 12, process 1200displays each audio waveform by plotting volumes of the original audioclips as a function of time on absolute scale.

Next, process 1200 analyzes each clip and identifies (at 1210) a volumelevel for setting the location of the volume adjuster graph for theclip. For instance, in some embodiments, process 1200 determines themean square root (RMS) of each waveform. In some other embodiments, theprocess determines average loudness of each waveform. Differentembodiments use different techniques to determine (or calculate)loudness equivalent of a clip. For instance, in some embodiments, theprocess determines a level for volume adjuster graph after subjectingthe waveform to a loudness filter to determine the loudness of the clip.Yet in other embodiments, the loudness equivalent is calculated using amathematical formula. Process 1200 then sets (at 1215) a separate volumeadjuster graph for each clip at the identified levels of the clip. Insome embodiments, the volume adjuster graph is superimposed over thecorresponding audio waveform of the clip.

FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates several possible positions for settingthe volume adjuster graphs in some embodiments of the invention. Volumeadjuster graph 1305 is set at a position determined based on the RMS ofthe waveform 1310. As shown, the peak of the waveform 1310 is at −7 dB.In this example, the RMS is calculated to be −15 dB. The volume adjustergraph 1305 is set at the RMS level. In contrast, volume adjuster graph1315 is placed at the peak of the waveform 1310 which is similar to theembodiments described by reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, above. As shown inFIG. 13, the peak of the waveform is at −7 dB and the volume adjustergraph 1315 is placed at the peak. FIG. 13 also illustrates Volumeadjuster graph 1325. This volume adjuster graph is set at a positionbased on the loudness of the clip. In some embodiments, loudness isdetermined by using a loudness filter.

Referring back to FIG. 12, process 1200 then receives (at 1220)adjustments to the volume adjuster of a particular clip. The processchanges (at 1225) the volume of the clip based on the receivedadjustments. The process then exits. While changing the volume of theclip, as long as the peak of the waveform has not reached the maximum,process 1200 maintains the position of the volume adjuster graph on thewaveform (e.g., at the RMS position). In other words, the RMS of thewaveform and the volume adjuster graph move together. When the peak ofthe waveform reaches the maximum, some embodiments prevent the volumeadjuster graph to increase any further while other embodiments clip aportion of the waveform.

FIG. 14 conceptually illustrates a volume adjuster graph 1405 which isplaced at the RMS level (or any other level below the peak) of awaveform 1410 in some embodiments of the invention. Volume adjustment isshown in two stages 1420 and 1425. As shown in the first stage 1420, aslong as the peak 1415 of the waveform 1410 has not reached the maximumvalue of 0 dB, the volume adjuster graph (and the waveform) can move up.However, as shown in stage two 1425, when the peak 1415 of the waveform1410 reaches the maximum allowed volume at 0 dB, the volume adjustergraph is automatically prevented from moving up any further.

FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates a volume adjuster graph 1505 which isplaced at the RMS level (or any other level below the peak) of awaveform 1510 in some embodiments. Volume adjustment is shown in threestages 1520-1530. As shown in the first stage 1520, as long as the peak1515 of the waveform 1510 has not reached the maximum value of 0 dB, thevolume adjuster graph and the waveform move up without the waveformbeing clipped. However, as shown in stage two 1525, when the peak of thewaveform 1510 reaches the maximum allowed volume at 0 dB, the volumeadjuster graph can continue moving up and the portions of the clip thatreach 0 dB are clipped away. As shown in stage three 1530, the volumeadjuster graph stops when it reaches the maximum limit and the portionof the clip with higher volumes than the level of the volume adjustergraph are clipped away.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process 1200 is aconceptual representation of the operations used for adjusting audiovolume. The specific operations of process 1200 may not be performed inthe exact order shown and described. For instance, displaying of theoriginal clip in some embodiments is done after operations 1210 and1215. Also, operations 1220 and 1225 can be repeated many times tochange the volume adjuster graphs in response to different user inputs.In these embodiments, after performing operation 1225, process 1200proceeds to 1220 and awaits the next user command. Furthermore, thespecific operations of process 1200 may not be performed in onecontinuous series of operations and different specific operations may beperformed in different embodiments. Also, the process could beimplemented using several sub-processes, or as part of a larger macroprocess.

C. Shape of Volume Adjuster Graph

In FIGS. 5-6, 9-11, 13-15 as well some other figures described below,the volume adjuster graph or its segments are shown as straight linesfor simplicity. However, in some embodiments, the volume adjuster graphor any of the segments of the graph can be straight lines (e.g.,horizontal, vertical, diagonal line) or curved lines. In theseembodiments, a section of the audio waveform is examined to determinethe particular intrinsic volume level (e.g., peak, RMS, average volume,calculated loudness equivalent, etc.) at which the volume adjuster graphis to be set. The volume adjuster graph segment corresponding to eachsection of the audio waveform is then set based on the determined valuefor that section of the audio waveform.

For instance, if the intrinsic value at which the volume adjuster graphis set is the peak volume, then the peak for each section of the audiowaveform is determined and each volume adjuster graph segment is set tothe peak value of the corresponding section of the audio waveform.Accordingly, when the examined section of the audio waveform is thewhole audio waveform, the peak of the examined section is the peak ofthe audio waveform and the volume adjuster graph is a straight line setat the peak of the audio waveform. On the other hand, when the sectionof the audio is a single sample of the audio waveform, the volumeadjuster graph is the same curve as the audio waveform itself. When theexamined section of the audio waveform is anywhere between an individualsample and the whole audio waveform, the volume adjuster graph is arunning average of the intrinsic value (in this example, the peak) ofdifferent sections of the audio waveform. The volume adjuster graph is,therefore, a curve comprised of curved and/or straight lines that is fitaccording to the values determined for the particular intrinsic valuefor each section of the audio waveform.

D Pre-Normalization

Some embodiments perform a pre-normalization on a waveform in order todetermine a level to set the volume adjuster graph for a clip. FIG. 16conceptually illustrates a process 1600 for changing the audio volume ofa multimedia clip in some embodiments of the invention. Process 1600 isdescribed by reference to FIG. 17 which conceptually shows differentoperations for pre-normalization in some embodiments. As shown in FIG.16, process 1600 identifies (at 1605) the value of a desired level (suchas the peak or RMS) of the original sound clip for placing the volumeadjuster graph. In the example of FIG. 17, the peak level 1710 of thewaveform 1705 is determined to be at −25 dB.

Next, the process increases (i.e., pre-normalizes) (at 1610) soundlevels of the clip by the difference between the identified level andthe maximum allowed sound level (e.g., 0 dB). As shown in FIG. 17, thedifference between the peak value (i.e., −25 dB) of waveform 1705 andthe maximum allowed volume value (i.e., 0 dB) is 25 dB. The normalizedwaveform 1715 has volume levels that are 25 dB louder than waveform1705.

Next, process 1600 compensates for pre-normalization by setting (at1615) the volume adjuster for the clip below the maximum allowed valueby an amount equal to the difference value. As shown in FIG. 17, thevolume adjuster graph 1720 is set at −25 dB below the maximum allowedvalue of 0 dB. Next, process 1600 displays (at 1620) the visualrepresentation of the clip with the adjusted volume by plotting volumesvalues as a function of time on absolute scale. As shown in FIG. 17, theresulting waveform 1725 is displayed at the adjusted volume with thevolume adjuster graph placed at the peak 1730 of the waveform 1725.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process 1600 is aconceptual representation of the operations used for doingpre-normalization for setting the volume level adjuster. The specificoperations of process 1600 may not be performed in the exact order shownand described. Furthermore, the specific operations of process 1600 maynot be performed in one continuous series of operations and differentspecific operations may be performed in different embodiments. Also, theprocess could be implemented using several sub-processes, or as part ofa larger macro process.

E. Changing Absolute Volume Levels without Using Volume Adjuster Graphs

Some embodiments change audio clip levels without the use of volumeadjuster graphs. In some of these embodiments, the volume adjuster isset at a desired position such as the peak or RMS level without beingdisplayed. When a user drags on any portion of a clip, the clip volumeis adjusted as if the user has dragged the volume adjuster graph. Someembodiments provide a selection tool (e.g., a radio button) on GUI 500to turn the display of the volume adjuster graph on or off. Otherembodiments always display or always hide the volume adjuster graphs.

FIG. 18 illustrates three waveforms 1805-1815 in two stages 1820 and1825 in some embodiments. The first stage 1820 illustrates the originalvolumes of the clips. FIG. 18 also conceptually shows that a GUIselection tool 1830 is set to hide the volume adjuster graphs. In stagetwo 1825, a user drags down on a point 1830 of the waveform. The volumeof the resulting waveform 1835 is adjusted as if a volume adjuster graphwas displayed and the user has dragged on the volume adjuster graph. Forinstance, if the volume adjuster graph is set at the peak and is hidden,dragging down point 1830 on the clip by a particular dB amount resultsin a waveform as if the user has dragged a volume adjuster graph placedat the peak by the particular dB amount. As a result, the peak of thewaveform is set at the absolute value indicated by the hidden volumeadjuster graph.

F. Resetting Volume Adjuster Graphs when an Audio Clip is Cropped

In some embodiments, when a volume adjuster graph is set andsubsequently a portion of the clip is trimmed, the volume adjuster graphfor the clip is adjusted accordingly. FIG. 19 conceptually illustrates aprocess 1900 for adjusting the volume adjuster graph after trimming aportion of the clip in some embodiments of the invention. Process 1900is described by reference to FIG. 20 which conceptually shows differentoperations for resetting volume adjuster graphs in some embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 19, process 1900 displays (at 1905) sound levels of anaudio clip as a function of time and sets the volume adjuster graph at aparticular level (e.g., at the peak or at the RMS level). In the exampleof FIG. 20, the volume adjuster graph 2010 is set at the peak of thecorresponding waveform 2005.

Next, process 1900 receives (at 1910) a command to crop the audio clip.For instance, some embodiments provide different cropping tools to cropand trip media clips. FIG. 20 shows that a portion 2015 of the waveform2005 is identified to be cropped. Process 1900 then crops (at 1915) theclip. FIG. 20 shows the cropped portion 2020 of the waveform.

Process 1900 then identifies (at 1920) the new desired sound level value(e.g., new peak or new RMS) of the cropped clip to set the volumeadjuster graph. In the example of FIG. 20, the new peak of the croppedwaveform 2020 is at −25 dB. Process 1900 then pre-normalizes (at 1925)the cropped clip to the loudest possible level by increasing the soundlevels of the cropped clip by the difference between the maximum allowedvolume level and the identified desired level for the volume adjustergraph. FIG. 20 shows the resulting pre-normalized waveform 2025.

Process 1900 then sets the volume adjuster to a new value to compensatefor the difference between the maximum allowed volume level and theidentified desired level for the volume adjuster graph. The process thendisplays (at 1935) the clip and the adjusted volume adjuster graph. FIG.20 shows the resulting waveform 2030 and the new volume adjuster graph2035. As shown, the volume adjuster graph is changed from −7 dB to −25dB after the audio clip is cropped.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process 1900 is aconceptual representation of the operations used for resetting thevolume adjuster graph. The specific operations of process 1900 may notbe performed in the exact order shown and described. For instance, insome embodiments pre-normalization is not done. Instead, when the newdesired sound level value for the volume adjuster graph (e.g., the newpeak or new RMS) is determined, the volume adjuster graph is set at theidentified level. In these embodiments, process 1900 skips operations1925 and 1930 and instead sets the volume adjuster graph at the newidentified sound level. Furthermore, the specific operations of process1900 may not be performed in one continuous series of operations anddifferent specific operations may be performed in different embodiments.Also, the process could be implemented using several sub-processes, oras part of a larger macro process.

G. Deformable Volume Adjuster Graphs

Some embodiments allow volume adjuster graphs to be split for an audioclip based on one or more selected time ranges. In some of theseembodiments, when a portion of an audio clip is selected, a newmulti-segment volume adjuster graph (or volume adjuster curve) based onthe properties of the selected portion (i.e., peak, RMS, etc.) isdisplayed. In other embodiments, a multi-segment volume adjuster graphis automatically displayed for an audio clip. Each segment of the volumeadjuster graph can have a different geometric shape such as a straightline (e.g., horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines) or a curved line.In some embodiments, the volume adjuster graph is a continuous graphthat includes different curved and/or straight line segments.

FIG. 21 conceptually illustrates a process 2100 for setting anddisplaying deformable volume adjuster graphs in some embodiments of theinvention. Different operations of process 2100 are described byreference to FIGS. 22-29. As shown in FIG. 21, process 2100 displays (at2105) an audio clip by plotting the volume of the audio clip as afunction of time and sets the volume adjuster graph at a particularlevel (e.g., the peak or RMS) of the clip. Some embodiments, utilize anabsolute volume adjustment scale. In these embodiments, each audiowaveform is displayed by plotting volumes of the original audio clips asa function of time on absolute scale and the deformable volume adjustergraphs are set based on the intrinsic or absolute volume values of theclip. Other embodiments use a relative volume adjustment scale fordisplaying deformable volume adjuster graphs. In these embodiments, eachaudio waveform is displayed by plotting volumes of the original audioclips as a function of time on a relative scale and the deformablevolume adjuster graphs are set based on the relative volume values ofthe clip.

FIG. 22 conceptually illustrates a single audio clip 2205 with a singlevolume adjustment adjuster graph segment 2210 in some embodiments. Inthis example, the volume adjuster graph is set at the peak of the audioclip. However, the following discussion also applies to other volumeadjuster graphs such as volume adjuster graphs set at RMS or loudnesslevels. The audio clip is shown in three stages 2215-2225. As shown inthe first stage 2215, the volume adjuster graph is set at −7 dB.

Next, process 2100 receives (at 2110) a selection of one or moreportions of the audio clip. As shown in FIG. 20, in the second stage2220, a particular range 2230 of the audio clip is selected. This isshown by the dashed rectangle 2235.

Process 2100 then analyzes (at 2115) the selected portion(s) as well asthe portions that are not selected and determines the new desired soundlevel value (e.g., new peak or new RMS) of the each portion to set anindividual volume adjuster graph segment for each portion. For instance,in the example of FIG. 22, the volume adjuster graph is placed at thepeak of the original audio clip. After a portion of the audio clip isselected, the new peak of each portion is determined. In someembodiments, setting and displaying of deformable volume adjuster graphsis done automatically without requiring receiving of a selection of oneor more portions of the audio clip. In these embodiments, operation 2110is bypassed and operation 2115 is done automatically (e.g., as a part ofoperation 2105 when a volume adjuster graph is being displayed on anaudio clip or after receiving a command to generate a deformable volumeadjuster graph). In these embodiments, different portions of the audioclip are automatically identified based on criteria such as averagevolume level, maximum volume level, loudness, maximum or minimum lengthof different portions, etc.

Process 2100 then sets (at 2120) individual volume adjuster graphsegments for each portion of the audio clip based on the identifiedlevel for the portion. In some embodiments, the individual volumeadjuster graph segments are automatically set after one or more portionsof an audio clip are selected. In other embodiments, process 2100receives a command through the GUI to deform the volume adjuster graph.Yet in other embodiments, a deformable volume adjuster graph isautomatically generated for each audio clip.

As shown in the third stage 2225 in FIG. 22, the volume adjuster graphis divided into two segments 2240 and 2245. Segment 2240 is set at thepeak of the portion that was not selected (which in this example is thesame as the peak of original clip 2205) and segment 2245 is set at thepeak value of the selected portion 2230. In some embodiments, thesplitting of the volume adjuster graph is performed by defining twokeyframes. A first keyframe 2250 at the peak level of the first portionof the clip and a second keyframe 2255 at the peak level of the secondportion of the clip. Using the keyframes allows smooth transitionbetween the volume adjuster graph segments as described below byreference to FIG. 25. In some embodiments, when a portion of an audiograph is selected, the handles 2280 are automatically displayed to allowadjustment and smoothing of the volume adjuster graph segments. In otherembodiments, the handles are displayed only after the user adjusts(e.g., by applying a directional input) a selected portion (such as 2235and 2310 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23) of an audio waveform. Yet in otherembodiments, when a user double clicks on any point on the volumeadjuster graph, a single handle is displayed on that point.

The same volume adjuster graph segments would have been generated if thefirst portion of the audio (instead of the second portion) was selected.FIG. 23 conceptually illustrates a single audio clip 2205 with a singlevolume adjuster graph 2210 in some embodiments of the invention. In thisfigure, the first portion 2305 of the audio clip is selected as shown bythe dashed rectangle 2310. As a result, two volume adjuster graphsegments 2315 and 2320 are generated. Since the peaks of the twoportions are the same as the peaks of the two portions shown in FIG. 22,the volume adjuster graph segments 2315 and 2320 are generated at thesame positions as volume adjuster graph segments 2240 and 2245 shown inFIG. 22.

Process 2100 is also used to generate more than two volume adjustergraph segments when multiple potions of a clip are selected. FIG. 24conceptually illustrates the audio clip 2250 of FIG. 22 where twoportions of the clip (as shown by dashed rectangles 2405 and 2410) areselected. In some embodiments, these portions can be selectedsimultaneously and individual volume adjuster graph segments are set forall selected portions simultaneously. In other embodiments, the portionshave to be selected one at a time with each selection resulting in oneadditional individual volume adjuster graph segments to be added.

As shown in FIG. 24, four volume adjuster graph segments 2415-2430 aregenerated for the clip. In some embodiments, the volume adjuster graphsegments are generated by adding four keyframes 2435-2450 at peak levelsof different selected portions and remaining portions of the clip. Asshown, one of the volume adjuster graph segment 2420 which correspondsto the portion of the clip with the highest peak is at the same level asthe volume adjuster graph segment 2210 of the original clip.

Next, process 2100 optionally smoothes (at 2125) the transition betweenthe individual volume adjuster graph segments. In some embodiments, thesegments are smoothed automatically. Other embodiments provide tools toa user to smooth the segments. FIG. 25 conceptually illustratesadjusting the transition portion in two stages 2550 and 2555 in someembodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 25, audio clip 2505 hastwo volume adjuster graph segments 2510 and 2515. The volume adjustergraph segments are generated by adding two keyframes 2520 and 2525. Thehandles 2530 and 2535 are selectable and can be moved to left or rightin order to create a smooth transitional segment 2560 between the twovolume adjuster graph segments 2510 and 2515.

As shown in the first stage 2550, handle 2530 is selected and is movedto the left. Stage two 2555 shows that the transitional segment 2560between the two volume adjuster graph segments is expanded. Each one ofthe handles 2530 and 2535 can be selected and moved to left or right inorder to increase or decrease the transitional segment 2560 between thetwo volume adjuster graph segments. In some embodiments, instead of orin addition to the keyframes, a separate control is provided that allowsthe transitional segment 2540 between the volume adjuster graph segmentsto be adjusted.

Some embodiments treat the transitional segments such as 2560 as anyother segments of the volume adjuster graph. Accordingly, when thesegment is moved up or down, the corresponding section of the audiowaveform is adjusted the same way as when other segments (e.g., 2510 or2515) are moved up or down. In other embodiments, when a transitionalsegment such as segment 2560 is moved, the transitional segment shapestays the same and instead the two points on the two segments 2520 and2525 that are adjacent to the transitional segment 2560 (i.e., points onthe volume adjuster graph corresponding to handles 2530 and 2535) move.

Process 2100 then receives (at 2130) adjustment to individual volumeadjuster graph segment corresponding to a particular portion of theaudio clip. The process then changes (at 2135) the volume of the audioclip in accord with the received adjustment. When a segment of adeformable volume adjuster graph is changed, different embodimentschange the other segments of the deformable volume adjuster graphdifferently. FIG. 26 conceptually illustrates a deformable volumeadjuster graph where adjusting a segment of the deformable adjustergraph does not affect the other segments of the deformable volumeadjuster graph.

Specifically, FIG. 26 shows the deformable volume adjuster graph of FIG.24, where the segment 2430 is moved down after receiving a directionalinput (such as dragging). As a result, only the segment 2430 of thedeformable volume adjuster graph and only the portion 2610 of the audiowaveform 2205 is moved down. The other segments 2315-2325 of thedeformable volume adjuster graph as well as the rest of the waveform2205 are not affected by the movement of the segment 2430.

FIG. 27 conceptually illustrates a deformable volume adjuster graphwhere adjusting a segment (or a portion) of the deformable volumeadjuster graph affects the other segments of the deformable volumeadjuster graph. Specifically, FIG. 27 shows the deformable volumeadjuster graph of FIG. 25 where the segment 2515 is moved up afterreceiving a directional input (such as dragging). As shown in FIG. 27,moving segment 2515 results in other segment 2510 of the deformablevolume adjuster graph to also move up. However, after segment 2510reaches a point that the audio waveform 2505 has to be clipped, segment2510 does not move anymore to prevent the clipping. Any furtheradjustments to move segment 2515 up result only in segment 2515 (and not2510) to move up. As a result, the distance between the two segments2510 and 2515 is reduced and the slope #2705 between the two segmentsstarts to flatten.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 27 where adjusting one portion of theaudio waveform adjusts the other portions, the volume adjuster graphmight flatten as the user drags one section that has headroom but whereanother section approaches a point that causes clipping the audiowaveform. In other embodiments, when the first portion of the waveformreaches 0 dB, the volume of no other section of the waveform can raised(similar to what was described by reference to FIG. 14, above). Yet inother embodiments, the volume of the waveform is raised by clipping thewaveform at 0 dB until the lowest section of the deformable volumeadjuster graph (e.g., 2430) reaches 0 dB (similar to what was describedby reference to FIG. 15, above).

In some embodiments, process 2100 displays a reference graph (orreference curve) to show the original unmodified volume adjuster graph.FIG. 28 conceptually illustrates displaying a reference graph thatidentifies the original volume adjuster graph in some embodiments of theinvention after the original volume adjuster graph is modified. FIG. 28shows adjusting an audio waveform in two stages 2850 and 2855. As shownin the first stage 2850, an audio waveform 2805 and a deformable volumeadjuster graph with three segments 2820-2830 are displayed.

As shown in the second stage 2855, the volume adjuster graph is adjustedby moving segments 2825 and 2830 down. The resulting volume adjustergraph has a different shape than the original volume adjuster graph.However, as shown in the second stage 2855, when the original volumeadjuster graph is modified, a reference graph 2810 is displayed whichidentifies the original unmodified volume adjuster graph. In someembodiments, the reference graph 2810 that identifies the originalvolume adjuster graph, is displayed with different line pattering (e.g.,solid, dashed, dotted, or stippled patterning), different linethickness, or different color as the current (i.e., the modified) volumeadjuster graph.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process 2100 is aconceptual representation of the operations used for providing adeformable volume adjuster graph for an audio clip. The specificoperations of process 2100 may not be performed in the exact order shownand described. For instance, operations 2130 and 2135 can be repeatedmany times to change the volume adjuster graph segments in response todifferent user inputs. In these embodiments, after performing operation2135, process 2100 proceeds to 2130 and awaits the next user command.Furthermore, operations 2125 and 2130 can be used to adjust the volumeadjuster graph segments for individual portions of a clip as well volumeadjuster graphs of different audio clips.

Furthermore, the specific operations of process 2100 may not beperformed in one continuous series of operations and different specificoperations may be performed in different embodiments. Also, the processcould be implemented using several sub-processes, or as part of a largermacro process.

Some embodiments provide a similar smooth transition (as shown in FIG.25) between separate audio clips. FIG. 29 illustrates three audio clips2905-2915 with the corresponding volume adjuster graphs 2920-2930 insome embodiments. Using a similar technique for adding keyframes andhandles as described by reference to FIG. 25 above, the transitionalsegments 2935 and 2940 are made smooth. Specifically, handles 2945-2960are individually selectable. By moving the handles to right or left, thetransitions between the volume adjuster graphs 2920-2930 are madesmooth.

III. Reference Waveforms

A. Improved Visual Identification of Points on Audio Clips

Some embodiments provide for easy identification of different pointssuch as maximum points and minimum points (or peaks and valleys) ofaudio clips by displaying reference waveforms with accentuated pointsthat correspond to the points on the audio clip. FIG. 30 conceptuallyillustrates an audio waveform and its corresponding reference waveformin some embodiments of the invention. As shown, the audio waveform 3005has a maximum peak 3010 and several local maximum points and minimumpoints 3014 and 3015. It is often hard to identify the individualmaximum points and minimum points of a clip, especially in a portion ofthe clip that has a lower volume. Each maximum or minimum point on thedisplayed audio clip corresponds to a point on the audio clip that isdisplayed with a zero slope.

As shown, a reference waveform 3020 is superimposed over the originalwaveform 3005 in some embodiments. The reference waveform in someembodiments has the same number of points as the original waveform,except that some of the points on the reference waveform (e.g., some orall or the maximum points and minimum points) are accentuated (i.e.,displayed with a higher height or at a higher volume level) compared tothe corresponding points on the audio waveform. For instance, in someembodiments the highest peak of the original waveform 3005 in a givenperiod of time (e.g., in a 20 seconds interval) corresponds to a maximumpeak on the reference waveform 3020. As shown in FIG. 30, local peak3014 of the original waveform 3005 is the highest peak in a giveninterval 3030. The reference waveform 3020 has a maximum peak 3035 whichcorresponds to the local peak 3014. Some or all other local minimums andmaximums of the reference waveform are also accentuated to values morethan the corresponding local minimums and maximums of the originalwaveform but less than the maximum allowable volume level.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the audio waveform and thecorresponding reference waveform are displayed with different highlightsto facilitate visual distinction between the two waveforms. Forinstance, the audio clip in FIG. 30 is highlighted in black and thereference waveform is highlighted in gray. In other embodiments, thewaveforms for the audio clip and the reference waveform are displayed indifferent colors. Yet in other embodiments, the waveforms for the audioclip and the reference waveform are displayed with different linepattering (e.g., solid, dashed, dotted, or stippled patterning) ordifferent line thickness. Although in the following examples thereference waveforms are displayed as being superposed on the originalaudio waveforms, some embodiments do not superimpose the referencewaveform and the corresponding audio waveform. For instance, in someembodiment embodiments, the reference waveform is displayed in lieu ofthe original waveform or is displayed above or below the original audiowaveform.

Displaying the reference waveform is particularly useful for portions ofthe clips that have lower volumes as well as when the whole audio cliphas a low volume which makes visually identifying the maximum andminimum points of the waveform difficult. FIG. 31 conceptuallyillustrates a clip and its associated reference waveform in two stagesin some embodiments of the invention. In the first stage 3105, the audiowaveform 3115 has a high volume with a maximum peak 3120 of −3 dB. Sincethe waveform has a high volume, it is easy to identify its maximum andminimum points.

In stage two 3110, the volume of the clip is reduced to set the peak at−50 dB. As shown, although the resulting waveform 3125 has the samecontour or outline as the original waveform 3115, it is hard to identifythe local maximum and minimum points of the waveform 3125. Superimposingthe reference waveform 3130 on the waveforms 3125 provides an easy wayof identifying the maximum and minimum points of the waveform 3125. Asshown, the reference waveform 3130 is identical for both waveform 3115and the corresponding low volume waveform 3125 as the waveforms 3115 and3125 have the same contour.

FIG. 32 conceptually illustrates a process 3200 for displaying referencewaveforms in some embodiments of the invention. As shown, process 3200selects (at 3205) a point on the audio waveform to determine the valueof the corresponding point on the reference waveform. The process thenselects (at 3210) a pre-determined pixel range or a time interval aroundthe selected point to examine the volume of the audio waveform. Forinstance, in FIG. 30 a 20 pixel range 3030 of the clip is selected.

The process then examines (at 3215) the values of the points on theaudio waveform in the selected range (or interval) around the currentpoint to identify a value for the corresponding point on the referencewaveform. In some embodiments, determination of the values of the pointsin each interval is done based on the displayed original waveform. Insome of these embodiments, the pixel coordinates of the displayedwaveform are used to determine the values of the points of the waveform.In some embodiments, the value of the point on the reference waveform isdetermined based on mathematic formulas that take the maximum andminimum values of the audio waveform in the examined range as well asthe value of the current point of the audio waveform being examined.Example formulas for determining the value of the points on thereference waveform are described by reference to FIG. 33, below.

In some embodiments, displaying the reference waveform includesidentifying the maximum and minimum points of the audio clip,accentuating these points, and smoothly connecting the points togetherto display the reference waveform with a similar contour as the audioclip. In other embodiments, additional points on the audio clip (otherthan the maximum and minimum points) are identified and accentuated togenerate their corresponding points on the reference waveform. Yet inother embodiments, not all maximum and minimum points on the audio clipare used to generate the reference waveform. This is especially usefulwhen the audio clip has many local maximum and minimum points and itmakes easier to show the reference waveform with fewer maximum andminimum points than the audio clip.

Some embodiments determine the values of different points for referencewaveforms by examining pre-determined intervals around each point on theaudio waveform. FIG. 33 conceptually illustrates determining the valuesof different points for reference waveforms in some embodiments of theinvention. As shown, an audio waveform 3305 is displayed on the displayarea 3310. An example for determining the value for displaying a pointon the reference waveform that corresponds to the point 3315 of theaudio waveform 3305 is described below.

The volume levels of the audio waveform 3305 for a pre-determinedinterval 3320 around the point 3315 are examined. In some embodiments,the interval is pixel range with a certain number of pixels (in thisexample 20 pixels) on each direction before and after the point 3315. Inother embodiments, the interval is a time interval on each directionaround the point 3315. In either embodiments (whether the interval is apixel interval or time interval) different points (i.e., pixels ortimeslices) corresponding to the audio waveform 3305 are examined todetermine the value of their correspond point on the reference waveform.

For every pixel or timeslice, a pre-determined number of the surroundingpixels (20 pixels in the example of FIG. 33) or timeslices are examinedand the loudest and quietest volume values in that pixel range or timeinterval are determined. The current value of the point on the audiowaveform is then fitted into that range and the reference level (or thevalue of the corresponding point on the reference waveform) isdetermined. Once the value of the corresponding point on the referencewaveform is found, the next pixel or timeslice on the audio waveform isexamined. This slides the window 3320 to the right by one pixel or onetimeslice (i.e. 39 of the values are the same, one falls off the left,and one gets added to the right). The cycle repeats until all points ortimeslices are examined and the values of the corresponding points onthe reference waveform are determined.

In some embodiments, the following formula is used to determine thevolume of the current point on the audio clip with respect to theloudest and quietest points in the range being examined.

Cur-Pt volume ratio=(Value−Min)/(Max−Min)

where “Cur-pt volume ratio” is the ratio (or percentage) of the volumelevel of the current point with respect to the volume levels of thequietest and loudest points in the range; “Value” is the volume level ofthe current point on the audio waveform being examined; “Min” is thevolume of the quietest point in the range, and “Max” is the volume ofthe loudest point in the range.

The value of the point on the reference waveform that corresponds to thecurrent point is then determined by the following formula.

Ref-level=((1−Value)*Cur-Pt volume ratio)+Value

where “Ref-level” is the value at which the corresponding point on thereference waveform is displayed; “Cur-pt volume ratio” is the ratio (orpercentage) of the volume level of the current point calculated above,and “Value” is the volume level of the current point being examined onthe audio waveform.

As shown in FIG. 33, the audio waveform is assumed to be displayedbetween values of 0% to 100% of the maximum allowed value. In theexample of FIG. 33, the loudest point 3330 in the range 3320 is at 50%(or 0.5) of the volume range, the quietest point 3335 in the range 3320is at 10% (or 0.1) of the volume range and the current point 3315 is at30% (or 0.3) of the volume range. Accordingly, “Cur-pt volume ratio” iscalculated as follows (using decimal values for percentages):

Cur-pt volume ratio=(0.3−0.1)/(0.5−0.1)=0.2/0.4=0.5

Using this value, the “Ref-level” is calculated as follows:

Ref-level=((1−0.3)*0.5)+0.3=0.65

Accordingly, the point 3350 (identified by an X mark in FIG. 33) on thereference waveform that corresponds to the current point 3315 on theaudio waveform is displayed at 0.65 (or 65%) of the volume range. Usingthe above formulas for Ref-level, if a point is the lowest in itssurrounding range, the level of the reference waveform at that pointwill be equal to the actual waveform value at that point. In thisexample, if the point 3315 was the lowest (i.e., the quietest) point inthe range 3320, “Value” would have been 0.1, “Cur-pt volume ratio” wouldhave been 0.0, and “Ref-level” would have been 0.1. Accordingly, thepoint on the reference waveform would have been displayed at the actuallevel 3360 of the current point 3315. Similarly, if a point is thehighest in its surrounding range, the level of the reference waveform atthat point will be equal to the full scale 1.0 (or 100%) at that point.In this example, if the point 3315 was the loudest point in the range3320, “Value” would have been 0.5, “Cur-pt percentage” would have been1.0, and “Ref-level” would have been 1.0. Accordingly, the point on thereference waveform would have been displayed at the maximum allowedvalue (or 100%) 3370.

Referring back to FIG. 32, process 3200 then determines (at 3220)whether all points on the displayed audio waveform are examined. Whenall points are not examined, the process selects (at 3225) the nextpoint on the audio waveform in order to determine the value of thecorresponding point on the reference waveform. The process then proceedsto 3210 which was described above.

Otherwise, when all point are examined, the process displays (at 3230)the reference waveform with a corresponding number of points as theidentified points of the audio clip using the values identified for thepoints on the reference waveform. In some embodiments the highest peakof the reference waveform in the interval is displayed at the maximumallowed volume level. For instance, in FIG. 30, peaks 3010 and 3014 arethe highest peaks in their corresponding intervals. As shown in FIG. 30,the corresponding peaks 3050 and 3035 of these peaks on the referencewaveform 3020 are set to maximum allowed volume of 0 dB. Process 3200also accentuates some or all of the other maximum and minimum points ofthe selected portion.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process 3200 is aconceptual representation of the operations used for displayingreference waveforms. The specific operations of process 3200 may not beperformed in the exact order shown and described. For instance, insteadof displaying (at 3205) the reference waveform for a portion of theoriginal waveform and then performing operations 3225 and 3210 for thenext portion of the original waveform, some embodiments save the portionof the reference waveform in a temporary storage until all portions ofthe reference waveform for the audio clip that is displayed on the GUIare determined. The process then displays all portions of the referencewaveform at once. Furthermore, the specific operations of process 3200may not be performed in one continuous series of operations anddifferent specific operations may be performed in different embodiments.Also, the process could be implemented using several sub-processes, oras part of a larger macro process.

B. Aligning an Audio Clip to a Point on a Timeline

Using the reference waveforms facilitates aligning a particular pointsuch as a maximum or minimum point of a waveform to a particular timeshown on a display area. FIG. 34 conceptually illustrates a process 3400for aligning a point on an audio clip in with a desired point on adisplay area of some embodiments of the invention. This process isdescribed by reference to FIGS. 35 and 36 which conceptually illustratealigning of a waveform to a particular time in some embodiments of theinvention.

As shown in FIG. 34, process 3400 displays (at 3405) an audio clip witha corresponding superimposed reference waveform. FIG. 35 illustrates anaudio clip and a corresponding reference waveform. The audio clip in theexample of FIG. 35 is a low volume clip and is displayed on the waveformdisplay area 3550 of FIG. 35 as waveform 3505. As shown, it is difficultto visually identify individual maximum and minimum points of thewaveform 3505. The corresponding reference waveform 3510, on the otherhand, accentuates the maximum and minimum points of the originalwaveform 3505 and makes it easier to identify these peaks and valleys.

Process 3400 next identifies (at 3410) a point on the audio clip toalign with a point on a displayed timeline. For instance, a desiredpoint such as peak 3525 of the waveform 3505 is identified by selectingthe corresponding peak 3515 on the reference waveform 3510.

Next, process 3400 receives a directional input to align a point on thereference waveform, which corresponds to the identified point on theaudio clip, with the point on the timeline. Process 3420 next drags (at3420) the reference waveform corresponding to the audio clip along withthe audio clip to align the point on the reference waveform (along withthe point on the audio clip) with the point on the timeline.

As shown in FIG. 36, the selected peak 3515 of the reference waveform isdragged (e.g., by receiving a directional input from the user) to alignthe point with a desired displayed time 3530. As shown, the originalwaveform 3505 is also dragged with the superimposed reference waveform3510 to the desired position. In some embodiments, any point on thewaveform 3510 or any point on or inside the geometric shape (in thisexample, the rectangle 3520) that represents the audio clip 3505 can bedragged in order to align an identified point on the reference waveform3510 (and the corresponding point on the audio clip 3505) with a pointon the timeline.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process 3400 is aconceptual representation of the operations used for aligning an audioclip to a point in a display area. The specific operations of process3400 may not be performed in the exact order shown and described. Forinstance, instead of identifying a point on the audio clip (at 3410) maybe done while any of the operations 3415 and 3420 are being performed.Also, instead of dragging a reference waveform and the associated audioclip on a display area, some embodiments update the display only whenthe directional input operation is completed (e.g., when a user dragsand then releases a cursor or a touch point on the screen). Furthermore,the specific operations of process 3400 may not be performed in onecontinuous series of operations and different specific operations may beperformed in different embodiments. Also, the process could beimplemented using several sub-processes, or as part of a larger macroprocess.

C. Aligning Different Clips with an Audio Clip

Often the users of a media-editing application look for an audio eventto line different items up. A user might be looking for the sound of anevent to put a video clip at that event. For instance, a user might belooking for an interesting word mentioned in an interview in order tomake a cutaway shot to a location on a video clip where the word ismentioned. Using the reference waveforms facilitates aligning differentclips with an audio clip or vice versa. For instance, a user might wantto align two audio clips by moving one of them, align a video clip andan audio clip by moving one of them, etc.

FIG. 37 conceptually illustrates a process 3400 for aligning severalaudio clips in some embodiments of the invention. This process isdescribed by reference to FIGS. 38 and 39 that conceptually illustratealigning of several waveforms in some embodiments of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 37, process 3700 displays (at 3705) a first audio clipwith a corresponding superimposed first reference waveform and a secondaudio clip with a corresponding superimposed second reference waveform.Although the process and the examples are described for aligning severalaudio clips, a similar process is used in some embodiments to alignother displayed items (e.g., a video clip) with an audio clip.

FIG. 38 illustrates a waveform display area 3805 that includes a primarylane (also referred to as spine, primary compositing lane, centralcompositing lane) 3810 and several secondary lanes (also referred to asanchor lanes) 3855-3860. In the example of FIG. 38, the primary lane3810 includes a primary sequence of media and the two secondary lanes3855 and 3860 each includes an audio clip with an audio waveform 3825and 3830 respectively. In some embodiments, the secondary lanes areanchored (as shown by anchors 3835 and 3840) to the primary lane.However, the teachings of the invention apply to embodiments whereseveral lanes run in parallels to each other and are not anchored toeach other.

Next, process 3700 identifies (at 3710) a point on the first audiowaveform to align with a point on the second audio clip. In the exampleof FIGS. 38 and 39, a user wants to align the highest peak 3865 of audiowaveform 3825 to the second highest peak 3870 of audio waveform 3830. Asshown, the audio waveform 3825-3830 do not cover the full range of −∞ to0 dB and it is hard to visually identify the maximum and minimum pointsor any particular points on these clips. On the other hand, thereference waveforms 3845 and 3850 that have the same number of maximumand minimum points as audio waveform 3825 and 3830 respectively includeaccentuated maximum and minimum points which are easier to visuallyidentify. For instance, the peak 3875 on reference waveform 3845 thatcorresponds to the highest peak 3865 of audio waveform 3825 is shown at0 dB an is easy to visually identify. Similarly, the peak 3880 onreference waveform 3850 that corresponds to the second highest peak 3870of audio waveform 3830 is accentuated and is shown at a much highervolume level and is easier to visually identify than the peak 3870.

Process 3700 then receives a directional input to align a first point onthe first reference waveform that corresponds to the point on the firstwaveform with a second point on the second reference point thatcorresponds to the point on the second audio waveform. Next, process3700 drags the reference waveform corresponding to the first audiowaveform along with the first audio waveform to align the first point onthe first reference waveform and the point on the first audio waveformwith the second point on the second reference waveform and the point onthe second audio waveform.

As shown in FIG. 39, a user can apply a directional input anywhere on orinside the geometric shape (in this example the rectangle 3905) thatrepresents audio clip (e.g., by selecting and dragging the peak 3875) tomove the reference waveform 3845 along with audio waveform 3825 untilthe highest peak 3875 on the reference waveform 3845 is aligned with thesecond highest peak 3880 on the reference waveform 3850. Since referencewaveforms 3845 and 3850 have corresponding peaks and valleys with audiowaveform 3825 and 3830 respectively, aligning the peaks 3875 and 3880results in aligning the peaks 3865 and 3870 on the audio waveform.

Using this technique, any point on a reference waveform can be alignedwith any point on another reference waveform which results in thesimilar points on the corresponding audio waveform to also be aligned.Similarly, any audio waveform (such as audio clips 3825 and 3830) can bealigned at any point on the primary lane 3810 by dragging thecorresponding reference waveform of the audio waveform (which providesbetter visual identification of maximum and minimum points) to a desiredpoint.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process 3700 is aconceptual representation of the operations used for aligning severalaudio clips in a display area. The specific operations of process 3700may not be performed in the exact order shown and described. Forinstance, instead of identifying a point on the first audio clip (at3710) may be done while any of the operations 3715 and 3720 are beingperformed. Also, instead of dragging a reference waveform and theassociated audio clip on a display area, some embodiments update thedisplay only when the directional input operation is completed (e.g.,when a user drags and then releases a cursor or a touch point on thescreen). Furthermore, the specific operations of process 3700 may not beperformed in one continuous series of operations and different specificoperations may be performed in different embodiments. Also, the processcould be implemented using several sub-processes, or as part of a largermacro process.

IV. Software Architecture

FIG. 40 conceptually illustrates the software architecture 4000 foradjusting media clip volumes and displaying reference waveforms in amedia editing application in some embodiments of the invention. Asshown, the application includes a user interface module 4005 whichinteracts with a user through the input device driver(s) 4010 and theaudio/video display/play module(s) 4015. The user interface modulereceives user inputs (e.g., through the GUI 500). The user interfacemodule passes the user inputs to other modules and sends displayinformation to audio/video display/play modules 4015.

FIG. 40 also illustrates an operating system 4018. As shown, in someembodiments the device drivers 4010 and audio/video display/play modules4015 are part of the operating system 4018 even when the media editingapplication is an application separate from the operating system. Theinput device drivers 4010 may include drivers for translating signalsfrom a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, drawing tablet, touchscreen, etc. Auser interacts with one or more of these input devices, which sendsignals to their corresponding device driver. The device driver thentranslates the signals into user input data that is provided to the userinterface module 4005.

The present application describes a graphical user interface thatprovides users with numerous ways to perform different sets ofoperations and functionalities. In some embodiments, these operationsand functionalities are performed based on different commands that arereceived from users through different input devices (e.g., keyboard,trackpad, touchpad, mouse, etc.). For example, in some embodiments, thepresent application uses a cursor in the graphical user interface tocontrol (e.g., select, move) objects in the graphical user interface.However, in some embodiments, objects in the graphical user interfacecan also be controlled or manipulated through other controls, such astouch control. In some embodiments, touch control is implemented throughan input device that can detect the presence and location of touch on adisplay of the input device. An example of a device with suchfunctionality is a touch screen device (e.g., as incorporated into asmart phone, a tablet computer, etc.). In some embodiments with touchcontrol, a user directly manipulates objects by interacting with thegraphical user interface that is displayed on the display of the touchscreen device. For instance, a user can select a particular object inthe graphical user interface by simply touching that particular objecton the display of the touch screen device. As such, when touch controlis utilized, a cursor may not even be provided for enabling selection ofan object of a graphical user interface in some embodiments. However,when a cursor is provided in a graphical user interface, touch controlcan be used to control the cursor in some embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 40, the software architecture also includes a module4030 to receive audio clips, a module 4035 to analyze audio clips, anormalize audio module 4040, a volume adjuster setting module 4045, adeformable volume adjuster graph generation module 4050, and a referencewaveform display module 4055. These modules perform one or more of theoperations discussed for the process and methods described in differentembodiments above.

As shown, different modules of the software architecture utilizedifferent storage 4090 to store project information. The storageincludes intermediate audio data storage 4080, finalized audio datastorage 4085, as well as other storage 4087.

V. Graphical User Interface

FIG. 41 illustrates a graphical user interface (“GUI”) 4100 of amedia-editing application of some embodiments. One of ordinary skillwill recognize that the graphical user interface 4100 is only one ofmany possible GUIs for such a media-editing application. In fact, theGUI 4100 includes several display areas which may be adjusted in size,opened or closed, replaced with other display areas, etc. The GUI 4100includes a clip library 4105, a clip browser 4110, a composite displayarea (also referred to in this specification as the waveform displayarea) 4115, a preview display area 4120, an inspector display area 4125,an additional media display area 4130, and a toolbar 4135.

The clip library 4105 includes a set of folders through which a useraccesses media clips (i.e. video clips, audio clips, etc.) that havebeen imported into the media-editing application. Some embodimentsorganize the media clips according to the device (e.g., physical storagedevice such as an internal or external hard drive, virtual storagedevice such as a hard drive partition, etc.) on which the mediarepresented by the clips are stored. Some embodiments also enable theuser to organize the media clips based on the date the media representedby the clips was created (e.g., recorded by a camera).

Within a storage device and/or date, users may group the media clipsinto “events”, or organized folders of media clips. For instance, a usermight give the events descriptive names that indicate what media isstored in the event (e.g., the “New Event 2-8-09” event shown in cliplibrary 4105 might be renamed “European Vacation” as a descriptor of thecontent). In some embodiments, the media files corresponding to theseclips are stored in a file storage structure that mirrors the foldersshown in the clip library.

Within the clip library, some embodiments enable a user to performvarious clip management actions. These clip management actions mayinclude moving clips between events, creating new events, merging twoevents together, duplicating events (which, in some embodiments, createsa duplicate copy of the media to which the clips in the eventcorrespond), deleting events, etc. In addition, some embodiments allow auser to create sub-folders of an event. These sub-folders may includemedia clips filtered based on tags (e.g., keyword tags). For instance,in the “New Event 2-8-09” event, all media clips showing children mightbe tagged by the user with a “kids” keyword, and then these particularmedia clips could be displayed in a sub-folder of the event that filtersclips in this event to only display media clips tagged with the “kids”keyword.

The clip browser 4110 allows the user to view clips from a selectedfolder (e.g., an event, a sub-folder, etc.) of the clip library 4105. Asshown in this example, the highlighted folder “New Event 2-8-09” 4190 isselected in the clip library 4105, and the clips belonging to thatfolder are displayed in the clip browser 4110. Some embodiments displaythe clips as thumbnail filmstrips, as shown in this example. By moving acursor (or a finger on a touchscreen) over one of the thumbnails (e.g.,with a mouse, a touchpad, a touchscreen, etc.), the user can skimthrough the clip. That is, when the user places the cursor at aparticular horizontal location within the thumbnail filmstrip, themedia-editing application associates that horizontal location with atime in the associated media file, and displays the image from the mediafile for that time. In addition, the user can command the application toplay back the media file in the thumbnail filmstrip.

In addition, the thumbnails for the clips in the browser display anaudio waveform underneath the clip that represents the audio of themedia file. In some embodiments, as a user skims through or plays backthe thumbnail filmstrip, the audio plays as well.

Many of the features of the clip browser are user-modifiable. Forinstance, in some embodiments, the user can modify one or more of thethumbnail size, the percentage of the thumbnail occupied by the audiowaveform, whether audio plays back when the user skims through the mediafiles, etc. In addition, some embodiments enable the user to view theclips in the clip browser in a list view. In this view, the clips arepresented as a list (e.g., with clip name, duration, etc.). Someembodiments also display a selected clip from the list in a filmstripview at the top of the browser so that the user can skim through orplayback the selected clip.

The composite display area 4115 provides a visual representation of acomposite presentation (or project) being created by the user of themedia-editing application. Specifically, it displays one or moregeometric shapes that represent one or more media clips that are part ofthe composite presentation. The composite display area 4115 of someembodiments includes a primary lane (also called a “spine”, “primarycompositing lane”, or “central compositing lane”) 4160 as well as one ormore secondary lanes (also called “anchor lanes”) 4165. The spinerepresents a primary sequence of media which, in some embodiments, doesnot have any gaps. The clips in the anchor lanes are anchored (as shownby anchor 4185) to a particular position along the spine (or along adifferent anchor lane). Anchor lanes may be used for compositing (e.g.,removing portions of one video and showing a different video in thoseportions), B-roll cuts (i.e., cutting away from the primary video to adifferent video whose clip is in the anchor lane), audio clips, or othercomposite presentation techniques. In some embodiments, the audio clipsdisplayed in the composite display area 4115 include superimposedreference waveforms as described by reference to FIGS. 30-39, above. Insome embodiments, the composite display area 4115 spans a displayedtimeline 4180 which displays time (e.g., the elapsed time of clipsdisplayed on the composite display area).

The user can add media clips from the clip browser 4110 into thetimeline 4115 in order to add the clip to a presentation represented inthe timeline. Within the timeline, the user can perform further edits tothe media clips (e.g., move the clips around, split the clips, trim theclips, apply effects to the clips, etc.). The length (i.e., horizontalexpanse) of a clip in the timeline is a function of the length of mediarepresented by the clip. As the timeline is broken into increments oftime, a media clip occupies a particular length of time in the timeline.As shown, in some embodiments the clips within the timeline are shown asa series of images. The number of images displayed for a clip variesdepending on the length of the clip in the timeline, as well as the sizeof the clips (as the aspect ratio of each image will stay constant).

As with the clips in the clip browser, the user can skim through thetimeline or play back the timeline (either a portion of the timeline orthe entire timeline). In some embodiments, the playback (or skimming) isnot shown in the timeline clips, but rather in the preview display area4120.

In some embodiments, the preview display area 4120 (also referred to asa “viewer”) displays images from video clips that the user is skimmingthrough, playing back, or editing. These images may be from a compositepresentation in the timeline 4115 or from a media clip in the clipbrowser 4110. In this example, the user has been skimming through thebeginning of video clip 4140, and therefore an image from the start ofthis media file is displayed in the preview display area 4120. As shown,some embodiments will display the images as large as possible within thedisplay area while maintaining the aspect ratio of the image.

The inspector display area 4125 displays detailed properties about aselected item and allows a user to modify some or all of theseproperties. The additional media display area 4130 displays varioustypes of additional media, such as video effects, transitions, stillimages, titles, audio effects, standard audio clips, etc. In someembodiments, the set of effects is represented by a set of selectable UIitems, each selectable UI item representing a particular effect. In someembodiments, each selectable UI item also includes a thumbnail imagewith the particular effect applied. The display area 4130 is currentlydisplaying a set of effects for the user to apply to a clip. In thisexample, several video effects are shown in the display area 4130.

The toolbar 4135 includes various selectable items for editing,modifying, changing what is displayed in one or more display areas, etc.The right side of the toolbar includes various selectable items formodifying what type of media is displayed in the additional mediadisplay area 4130. The illustrated toolbar 4135 includes items for videoeffects, visual transitions between media clips, photos, titles,generators and backgrounds, etc. In addition, the toolbar 4135 includesan inspector selectable item that causes the display of the inspectordisplay area 4125 as well as the display of items for applying aretiming operation to a portion of the timeline, adjusting color, andother functions.

The left side of the toolbar 4135 includes selectable items for mediamanagement and editing. Selectable items are provided for adding clipsfrom the clip browser 4110 to the timeline 4115. In some embodiments,different selectable items may be used to add a clip to the end of thespine, add a clip at a selected point in the spine (e.g., at thelocation of a playhead), add an anchored clip at the selected point,perform various trim operations on the media clips in the timeline, etc.The media management tools of some embodiments allow a user to markselected clips as favorites, among other options.

In some embodiments, the toolbar includes a selection tool (e.g., aselection or radio button) to show or hide volume adjuster graphs asdescribed by reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, above. In some embodiments,the toolbar includes tools for cropping an audio clip as described byreference to FIGS. 19 and 20, above. The toolbar, in some embodiments,also includes tools for selecting portions of an audio clip as describedby reference to FIGS. 21-29, above. In some of these embodiments, thetoolbar also includes a selection tool (e.g., a selection button or aradio button) to generate a deformable volume adjuster graph afterdifferent portions of an audio clip are selected. In other embodiments,the deformable volume adjuster graph is automatically generated when oneor more portions of an audio clip are selected. In some of theseembodiments, the toolbar also includes a selection tool (e.g., aselection button or a radio button) to generate reference waveforms asdescribed by reference to FIGS. 30-32, above

One or ordinary skill will also recognize that the set of display areasshown in the GUI 4100 is one of many possible configurations for the GUIof some embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, the presence orabsence of many of the display areas can be toggled through the GUI(e.g., the inspector display area 4125, additional media display area4130, and clip library 4105). In addition, some embodiments allow theuser to modify the size of the various display areas within the UI. Forinstance, when the display area 4130 is removed, the timeline 4115 canincrease in size to include that area. Similarly, the preview displayarea 4120 increases in size when the inspector display area 4125 isremoved.

VI. Electronic System

Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented assoftware processes that are specified as a set of instructions recordedon a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computerreadable medium, machine readable medium, machine readable storage).When these instructions are executed by one or more computational orprocessing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores of processors,or other processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to performthe actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readablemedia include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, randomaccess memory (RAM) chips, hard drives, erasable programmable read onlymemories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs), etc. The computer readable media does not include carrierwaves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or over wiredconnections.

In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmwareresiding in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storagewhich can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, insome embodiments, multiple software inventions can be implemented assub-parts of a larger program while remaining distinct softwareinventions. In some embodiments, multiple software inventions can alsobe implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combination ofseparate programs that together implement a software invention describedhere is within the scope of the invention. In some embodiments, thesoftware programs, when installed to operate on one or more electronicsystems, define one or more specific machine implementations thatexecute and perform the operations of the software programs.

FIG. 42 conceptually illustrates an electronic system 4200 with whichsome embodiments of the invention are implemented. The electronic system4200 may be a computer (e.g., a desktop computer, personal computer,tablet computer, etc.), phone, PDA, or any other sort of electronic orcomputing device. Such an electronic system includes various types ofcomputer readable media and interfaces for various other types ofcomputer readable media. Electronic system 4200 includes a bus 4205,processing unit(s) 4210, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 4215, a systemmemory 4220, a network 4225, a read-only memory 4230, a permanentstorage device 4235, input devices 4240, and output devices 4245.

The bus 4205 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipsetbuses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of theelectronic system 4200. For instance, the bus 4205 communicativelyconnects the processing unit(s) 4210 with the read-only memory 4230, theGPU 4215, the system memory 4220, and the permanent storage device 4235.

From these various memory units, the processing unit(s) 4210 retrievesinstructions to execute and data to process in order to execute theprocesses of the invention. The processing unit(s) may be a singleprocessor or a multi-core processor in different embodiments. Someinstructions are passed to and executed by the GPU 4215. The GPU 4215can offload various computations or complement the image processingprovided by the processing unit(s) 4210. In some embodiments, suchfunctionality can be provided using CoreImage's kernel shading language.

The read-only-memory (ROM) 4230 stores static data and instructions thatare needed by the processing unit(s) 4210 and other modules of theelectronic system. The permanent storage device 4235, on the other hand,is a read-and-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memoryunit that stores instructions and data even when the electronic system4200 is off. Some embodiments of the invention use a mass-storage device(such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) asthe permanent storage device 4235.

Other embodiments use a removable storage device (such as a floppy disk,flash memory device, etc., and its corresponding disk drive) as thepermanent storage device. Like the permanent storage device 4235, thesystem memory 4220 is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlikestorage device 4235, the system memory 4220 is a volatile read-and-writememory, such a random access memory. The system memory 4220 stores someof the instructions and data that the processor needs at runtime. Insome embodiments, the invention's processes are stored in the systemmemory 4220, the permanent storage device 4235, and/or the read-onlymemory 4230. For example, the various memory units include instructionsfor processing multimedia clips in accordance with some embodiments.From these various memory units, the processing unit(s) 4210 retrievesinstructions to execute and data to process in order to execute theprocesses of some embodiments.

The bus 4205 also connects to the input and output devices 4240 and4245. The input devices 4240 enable the user to communicate informationand select commands to the electronic system. The input devices 4240include alphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called “cursorcontrol devices”), cameras (e.g., webcams), microphones or similardevices for receiving voice commands, etc. The output devices 4245display images generated by the electronic system or otherwise outputdata. The output devices 4245 include printers and display devices, suchas cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD), as well asspeakers or similar audio output devices. Some embodiments includedevices such as a touchscreen that function as both input and outputdevices.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 42, bus 4205 also couples electronic system4200 to a network 4225 through a network adapter (not shown). In thismanner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers (such as alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), or an Intranet,or a network of networks, such as the Internet. Any or all components ofelectronic system 4200 may be used in conjunction with the invention.

Some embodiments include electronic components, such as microprocessors,storage and memory that store computer program instructions in amachine-readable or computer-readable medium (alternatively referred toas computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, ormachine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readablemedia include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordablecompact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-onlydigital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a varietyof recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.),flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.),magnetic and/or solid state hard drives, read-only and recordableBlu-Ray® discs, ultra density optical discs, any other optical ormagnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media may storea computer program that is executable by at least one processing unitand includes sets of instructions for performing various operations.Examples of computer programs or computer code include machine code,such as is produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level codethat are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or amicroprocessor using an interpreter.

While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor ormulti-core processors that execute software, some embodiments areperformed by one or more integrated circuits, such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs). In some embodiments, such integrated circuits executeinstructions that are stored on the circuit itself. In addition, someembodiments execute software stored in programmable logic devices(PLDs), ROM, or RAM devices.

As used in this specification and any claims of this application, theterms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer toelectronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people orgroups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the termsdisplay or displaying means displaying on an electronic device. As usedin this specification and any claims of this application, the terms“computer readable medium,” “computer readable media,” and “machinereadable medium” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objectsthat store information in a form that is readable by a computer. Theseterms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and anyother ephemeral signals.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. In addition, a number of the figures(including FIGS. 8, 12, 16, 19, 21, 32, 34, and 37) conceptuallyillustrate processes. The specific operations of these processes may notbe performed in the exact order shown and described. The specificoperations may not be performed in one continuous series of operations,and different specific operations may be performed in differentembodiments. Furthermore, the process could be implemented using severalsub-processes, or as part of a larger macro process. Thus, one ofordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not tobe limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to bedefined by the appended claims.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the artwould understand that the invention is not to be limited by theforegoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by theappended claims.

1. A method of providing audio volume adjustment in a media-editingapplication, the method comprising: displaying an audio clip;determining an intrinsic volume level of the received audio clip fordisplaying a volume adjuster graph; displaying a volume adjuster graphat a same level as the determined intrinsic volume level, the volumeadjuster graph for adjusting a volume level of the audio clip; receivingan adjusted level for the volume adjuster graph; and setting the volumelevel of the audio clip by setting said intrinsic volume level of theaudio clip to the received adjusted level for the volume adjuster graph.2. The method of claim 1, wherein a volume adjuster graph is one of astraight line and a curved line.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theintrinsic volume level of the audio clip is one of a peak volume of theaudio clip, a root mean square (RMS) of the volume of the audio clip,and a calculated loudness equivalent of the audio clip.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: cropping a portion of the audio clip;determining the intrinsic volume level of a remainder of the audio clip;and resetting the volume adjuster graph to a same level as thedetermined intrinsic volume level of the reminder of the audio clip. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the intrinsic volume level of the audioclip is at a point below a maximum volume of the audio clip, the methodfurther comprising: receiving an adjustment to the volume adjuster graphthat sets a particular point other than a point at the maximum volume ofthe audio clip to a maximum allowed volume for the audio clip;displaying the audio clip with the particular point at the maximumallowed volume and clipping a portion of the audio clip comprisingpoints with volumes higher than the particular point.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the intrinsic volume level of the audio clip is at apoint below a maximum volume level of the audio clip, the method furthercomprising: receiving an adjustment to the volume adjuster graph thatrequires a particular point other than a point at the maximum volumelevel of the audio clip to a maximum allowed volume for the audio clip;setting the maximum volume of the audio clip at the maximum allowedvolume for the audio clip; and preventing further increase to the audioclip volume while the maximum volume of the audio clip is set at themaximum allowed volume for the audio clip.
 7. The method of claim 1further comprising: receiving a command to hide the displayed volumeadjuster graph; removing the displayed volume adjuster graph; receivinga directional input on any point on the audio clip; and adjusting thevolume of the audio clip according to received directional input.
 8. Amachine readable medium storing a media-editing application comprising agraphical user interface (GUI) for providing audio volume adjustment,the media editing application executable by at least one processingunit, the GUI comprising: a display area for: displaying an audio clip;and displaying a volume adjuster graph at a same level as an intrinsicvolume level of the audio clip, the volume adjuster graph for adjustinga volume level clip; a tool for: receiving an adjusted level for thevolume adjuster graph; and setting the volume level of the audio clip bysetting said intrinsic volume level of the audio clip to the receivedadjusted level for the volume adjuster graph.
 9. The machine readablemedium of claim 8, wherein the intrinsic volume level of the audio clipis one of a peak volume of the audio clip, a root mean square (RMS) ofthe volume of the audio clip, and a calculated loudness equivalent ofthe audio clip.
 10. The machine readable medium of claim 8, wherein theGUI further comprises: a tool for cropping a portion of the audio clip,wherein cropping the portion of the audio clip comprises (i) determiningthe intrinsic volume level of a remainder of the audio clip and (ii)resetting the volume adjuster graph to a same level as the determinedintrinsic volume level of the reminder of the audio clip.
 11. Themachine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the audio clip is a firstaudio clip and the volume adjuster graph is a first volume adjustergraph, wherein the display area is further for: displaying a secondaudio clip; and displaying a second volume adjuster graph at a samelevel as the intrinsic volume level of the second audio clip.
 12. Amachine readable medium storing a program for providing a volumeadjuster graph comprising a plurality segments for a single audio clip,the program executable by at least one processing unit, the programcomprising sets of instructions for: displaying sound levels of theaudio clip as a function of time on a graphical user interface (GUI);receiving a selection of a section of the audio clip, the selectionidentifying a selected first section of the audio clip and anon-selected second section of the audio; identifying, for eachparticular section, a sound level for displaying a volume adjuster graphsegment for the particular section, the sound level for each particularsection identified based on the particular intrinsic sound level of theparticular section of the audio clip; and displaying a volume adjustergraph segment for each section at the identified sound level for thesection.
 13. The machine readable medium of claim 12, wherein the volumeadjuster graphs segment for each section is automatically displayedafter the selection of the section of the audio clip is received. 14.The machine readable medium of claim 12, wherein the volume adjustergraph segment for each section is automatically displayed after acommand for displaying the volume adjuster graph segments is receivedthrough the GUI.
 15. The machine readable medium of claim 12, whereinthe particular intrinsic sound level of the audio clip is one of a peakvolume of the audio clip, a root mean square (RMS) of the volume of theaudio clip, and a calculated loudness equivalent of the audio clip. 16.The machine readable medium of claim 12, wherein the program furthercomprises a set of instructions for smoothing a transitional segmentbetween the displayed volume adjuster graph segments.
 17. The machinereadable medium of claim 16, wherein the set of instructions forsmoothing the transitional segment comprises sets of instructions for:displaying a set of selectable handles on the volume adjuster graph;receiving movements of one or more of the handles; and changing thetransitional segment based on the received movements of the handles. 18.The machine readable medium of claim 12, wherein the computer programfurther comprises sets of instructions for: receiving an adjustment of avolume adjuster graph segment corresponding to one of the sections ofthe audio clip; and changing a sound level of the section of the audioclip corresponding to the volume adjuster graph segment for which theadjustment is received without changing a sound level of any othersections of the audio clip.
 19. The machine readable medium of claim 12,wherein the computer program further comprises sets of instructions for:receiving an adjustment of a first volume adjuster graph segmentcorresponding to a first section of the audio clip; changing a soundlevel of the first section of the audio clip; adjusting a second volumeadjuster graph segment corresponding to a second section of the audioclip based on the received adjustment of the first volume adjuster graphsegment; and changing a sound level of the second section of the audioclip.
 20. The machine readable medium of claim 19, wherein the programfurther comprises sets of instructions for: determining that a maximumpoint of a particular section has reached a maximum allowable level forthe audio clip; preventing increasing the volume of the particularsection while the maximum point of the particular section is at themaximum allowable level for the audio clip; and increasing, based on thereceived adjustment, the volume of any section where a maximum point inthe section has not reached the maximum allowable level for the audioclip.
 21. A method of providing a volume adjuster graph for an audioclip, the volume adjuster graph comprising a plurality of segments, themethod comprising: displaying sound levels for a plurality of points onthe audio clip as a function of time on a graphical user interface(GUI); automatically analyzing the audio clip to determine a pluralityof sections of the audio clip, each section in the plurality of sectionscomprising points with sound levels in a pre-determined sound levelrange; for each particular section, identifying a sound level fordisplaying a volume adjuster graph segment for the particular section,the sound level for each particular section identified based on aparticular intrinsic sound level of the points in the particular sectionof the audio clip; and displaying a volume adjuster graph segment foreach section at the identified sound level for the section.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein a volume adjuster graph segment is one of astraight line and a curved line.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein theparticular intrinsic sound level is one of a peak volume of the audioclip, a root mean square (RMS) of the volume of the audio clip, and acalculated loudness equivalent of the audio clip.
 24. The method ofclaim 21 further comprising: receiving an adjustment of a volumeadjuster graph segment corresponding to one of the sections of the audioclip; and changing a sound level of the section of the audio clipcorresponding to the volume adjuster graph segment for which theadjustment is received without changing a sound level of any othersections of the audio clip.
 25. The method of claim 24 furthercomprising: receiving an adjustment of a volume adjuster graph segmentscorresponding to one of the sections of the audio clip; changing a soundlevel of the section of the audio clip corresponding to the volumeadjuster graph segment for which the adjustment is received; andchanging a sound level of at least one other section of the audio clipin response to receiving said adjustment.
 26. A method for adjusting thevolume level of an audio clip in a media-editing application, the methodcomprising: receiving an audio clip; determining a peak volume of thereceived audio clip; applying a constant amount of gain to bring thepeak volume to full scale; displaying a volume adjuster graph foradjusting the volume level of the audio clip, wherein the volumeadjuster graph is initially set at full scale; and moving the volumeadjuster graph to the original level of the peak volume.
 27. The methodof claim 26 further comprising receiving a volume level for adjustingthe volume adjuster graph; and setting the peak volume of the audio clipto the received volume level.